“Earlier this week, we gave you our First Look at Apple’s new ‘home stereo system’ for the iPod, the iPod Hi-Fi. At the same time, the public began weighing in with their first impressions—mostly from afar—and I admit to being more than a little surprised by the negative response. It seems many people are opposed to the very idea of the iPod Hi-Fi; more than once I heard or read the phrase ‘Why would anyone waste $350 on this thing?’ (Of course, nearly all of these comments were made by people who had never even seen the Hi-Fi in person.) Granted, Apple set themselves up for a measure of such abuse by introducing the Hi-Fi as an “audiophile”-grade system that will “redefine” the home stereo system, when it’s really a bookshelf-style speaker system—albeit one that can run off batteries—that attempts to improve on some of the more popular existing systems on the market,” Dan Frakes writes for Playlist.
Frakes writes, “what really sets the Hi-Fi apart from other transportable speaker systems are a number of interesting playback features. For example, a new Speakers menu appears on fifth-generation and nano iPods when you dock them with the Hi-Fi. This menu—actually present, but hidden, in these models since they were released, and updated via January’s iPod Software 1.1—provides several options specific to Hi-Fi-docking. Tone Control allows you to choose a Hi-Fi-specific EQ setting: Normal, Bass Boost, and Treble Boost; unlike the iPod’s EQ settings, the tone controls take effect in real time, so you can quickly compare the options as you scroll through them. (Note that the iPod’s standard EQ settings also appear to affect the iPod’s output when docked with the Hi-Fi; however, the Tone Control setting doesn’t affect audio output when docked with a different speaker system, nor does it affect headphone output.)”
“A few things immediately jump out at you when listening to the Hi-Fi. The first is that it has a rich, warm sound that doesn’t grate or offend like many lesser iPod speakers. The second is that despite its relatively small size, the Hi-Fi has actual bass. (Don’t let frequency-response snobs tell you that 53 Hertz—the official low-end of the Hi-Fi’s stated frequency range—isn’t “real” bass; unless you’re listening to pipe organs or putting together a home theater system, a relatively flat response down to ~50 Hertz is going to give you more bass than you’re probably used to.) Finally, the Hi-Fi can play loud. Incredibly loud, in fact, given the size of the system,” Frakes writes. “Although I’m sure a few iPod owners will get rid of a larger home stereo system—especially an older one—for the convenience and compact size of the Hi-Fi, I don’t see people with true high-end stereo systems trading them in. Rather, the Hi-Fi is going to be an attractive option for people looking for good, room-filling sound in a compact package: It’s a bookshelf system for the iPod generation, and one that can even be taken with you in a pinch.”
Much, much more in the very comprehensive full review here.
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I don’t know why, but after reading your dribble questioning the wisdom of The Steve, I immediately thought of this:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=116221427&s=143441&i=116221269
Rock on Steve!
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^
Hope you enjoyed it “soundboy”
You guys crack me up. The iPod plays compressed files so this is a perfect solution for students or people wanting to place a wirelessly docked speaker system in various rooms of the house (via Airport).
Hey, audiophiles, there is a place for top quality stuff. I use my Etymotic ER 6is with my iPod and I am very happy with them. But most people do NOT GIVE A SHIT about exceptional sound quality and quite rightly so. In the morning with my coffee before I go to work this system would be perfect in the kitchen. I could not care less if I can hear the pluck of a violin string in a piece of classical music. There is a place for audiophile equipment, and daily life is not it so stop whining about it.
This product will probably be a midrange sucess. And I like it, it looks slick and does exactly what it says on the tin.
PS please stop referring to Bose as audiophile equipment, it cracks me up. Bose make shite that noone should waste their money on.
Tim Coughlin
What’s all the fuss about? The iPod Hi-Fi was designed to do one thing well and that is to play music from an iPod loud enough to fill a room. Yes, there are other solutions for doing this and many will even sound better at the same price but none would integrate so well and with the iPod. For many people the simplicity of the iPod Hi-Fi will be far more important that how the sound compares with an amplifier and speakers.
A lot of people seem to be disappointed that the iPod Hi-Fi is not right for them. You know what? Not everything by Apple has to be right for everyone. The people who considered a Bose SoundDock, etc. are the market Apple are aiming at with this.
I am glad Apple released the iPod Hi-Fi because it will raise the bar for iPod speaker systems, possibly lead to price drops and more features. I for one hope that the current SoundDock will drop in price and Bose will release a new version to compare better with the iPod Hi-Fi’s volume and portability. There is even the possibility that Apple will revise the product with features like rechargeable battery, built-in wi-fi and video out or release similar products like maybe iPod Hi-Fi Mini.
My point is, the iPod Hi-Fi is a niche product and not everyone has to be happy with it. The iPod is a versatile device and you can use almost any speaker system with it so if Apple do not have the product that is right for you, find one that is.
The Bose Wave costs $500. That’s 150 MORE than the hifi.
The Bose Wave costs $500. That’s 150 MORE than the hifi.
Yea they changed their price structure, the clock radio by itself is $350 now, and the added cd player is $150 more.
Still way frigging overpriced for either, guess Apple is copying Bose and taking Mac suckers for a ride.
Ditto with a $99, poor functioning, leather case for the iPods when you can get a better one online for $20 at JR Music World.
It’s this apparant lack of respect of us consumers for value that’s got most Mac users pissed.
Steve Jobs can go fsck himself, we don’t need his overpriced cult products.
Passing a stereo speakers system as a HiFi system. Idiot.
The Bose SoundDock comes with an iPod dock connection, is smaller than the iPod Hi-Fi, is one third of the weight of the Hi-Fi and costs only $299.
What the hell happened here?
Who says Apple made this to “milk the Mac users”? Can’t Apple make just ONE product aimed at the general consumer? Geez, you’re like a little kid saying “No, Mommy, you have to make them special for me! Only for me!”
Anybody who hasn’t realized yet that the iPod business and the Mac business are two different things is a moron. Just because Apple makes a stereo system doesn’t mean they expect all Mac users to run out and buy it. PC users use iPods too, you know.
Sure, it’s a bit overpriced. Maybe. But the price comparison is really no different from the pricing between a regular box of candy and those “portable” candy packages. One costs $1.50 and the other costs $4, so sure, the portable ones are a bit overpriced, but they’re easier to take with you and more flexible. People like things that are easy to use, even though they have to pay a premium for it.
Sheesh. Every time Apple releases something that you guys don’t like very much, you take it as a personal offense. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it! If anybody can give me a valid explanation for why this product is so bad excluding price and not using any Hz references because no regular consumer is going to understand and/or care about that, then tell me and I’ll consider it. But, from what I’ve personally experienced, the iPod Hi-Fi takes already very existant technology and makes it sleek and portable. Hmm, sounds a bit like the original iPod, too, and there were riots when Apple released that, and look where they are now.
It will be as successful as the ‘cube’
Oh, I’m not so sure of that…
I think that the iPod Hi-Fi will be fairly successful. Once the madmen parade has ended, people will see that it will fill in the needs of quite a few people. Apple doesn’t have to move that many of this product to make it a success.
Remember, people out there have accepted lower quality sound with listening to compressed AAC sound, even down to 128K. If people have done this already, you think the regular iPod crowd will be that hard to convince to buy a iPod Hi-Fi?
I’m also sure the next revision of the iPod Hi-Fi is already in the making, addressing the clarity and the higher frequency response. I think that Apple also wanted a little room to breath to put out an even better iPod Hi-Fi in the future and market it as such. Apple does this with every product.
Sure, Steve was better to market this as: “Buy another home stereo, or even two.” Would less people be offended if the device was names iPod Stereo instead?
Freeze asks: “Can’t Apple make just ONE product aimed at the general consumer?”
I ask: How can a $350 piece of molded plastic, with no technological innovation, nothing new to the table, sub-par by any high-end audio standard worthy of the price, be considered a product aimed at the general consumer?
The criticism is valid. Wake up.
Apple had better learn from this insult to consumer intelligence, and the magazines/media that feed off the Apple tit (MacWorld, etc.) had better start echoing the pricing concerns. This “iPod is exempt from price/value equation” nonsense is over. If Apple could sell a computer with iLife for $499, how the hell do they justify this B.S. product.
Here in the third tier suburbs of La La Land, our money has value. Someone has been giving very bad advice to Steve Jobs.
Our Steve, bless him, has not made any new friends with his ‘audiophile’ claims and as a hi-fi freak myself, I think it was silly of him.
But this test shows quite clearly that, in comparison with other similar systems, it offers good sound quality and is not overpriced and of course Apple can also offer much greater iPod integration – no small advantage.
P.S. I agree with Tommy Boy who questioned whether some of the posters had actually read the review. There are, alas, quite a few ranters on this site.
I’ve had a Bose Wave Radio for eleven years and while I consider the sound quite good, I think now that it was way to expensive.
At the time, though, there were few alternatives on the market i.e. average-sized radios with a good sound.
I think most people who focus on the quality of the sound are missing the point of the i’Fi (say “iPod HiFi” ten times quickly). Previously the Mac was the only hub to Apple’s digital world, but now we have a choice of hubs -the iPod and the Mac.
Project yourself three MacWorlds ahead. There will be more ‘gadgets’ to plug our viPods into (car, HiFi, HD television, mobile phone, data projector, alarm clock, shower music, kitchen music, etc.). As each family member or work colleague moves from room to room they take their digital life with them and plug it in to whatever they want. The kids take their movies & tunes to the TV, Dad takes his work files & newspaper podcasts, Mum takes her photos & audiobooks (excuse my generalisations). The iPod is the hub of this mobile world and it is the perfect size.
MS’s Origami seems to be a ‘PSP killer’ rather than an attack on the iPod as it is too large to be a digital hub for anyone but geeky men. The iPod form factor limits it’s ability to do everything internally, but this is it’s best point as it appeals across all generations and relies on producing the best peripherals (like i’FI) rather than trying to do everything.
We will have two digital hubs – the Mac for our iLife world, and the iPod for our entertainment world.
T,
a good point about the ACC sound.
I’ve only got Apple lossless on my 30 GB iPod (video) and that reduces battery life drastically (ca. 2 hours) and, of course, the amount of music it stores.
But together with ER 6i earphones – a great sound!
Je ne regrette rien.
As to your point about improving treble response, that could be difficult. Speakers (tweeters) that do this well are relatively expensive, and that would put up the price and provide the ranters here with even more fodder.
So, like everyone said, shit upper frequency range (15kHz) hence shit treble. Move along quitely everyone. Audiophile-quality. LOL.
I understand that people who are critical about sound will feel a little offended by Steve promoting this speaker solution as Hi-Fi. But that’s a little marketing stunt on Apple’s part to place their device next to Bose’s and the like – as better, that is. I think it’s okay for people to feel offended, but hey, it’s not like Apple hasn’t done this kind of marketing stunts in the past.
I think that the iPod Hi-Fi offers an Apple branded iPod solution for people who use an iPod mainly for on the road, and don’t have a stereo or need an extra one – like kitchen or bedroom – at home. I can think of many people and many places. It’s not really meant for moving around, but the batteries will make it great to move into the garden, when people need to.
Sound quality? It’s well enough for the price and for the quality of the compressed tracks people keep on their iPod. Hey, many people use the Apple supplied ear buds!
I really think people who like Apple’s minimalist style, they will grab this one instead of Bose, Altec-Lansing, etc. That’s not to say that Apple offers great value next to the other brands, but it’s an Apple solution. Apple will make money of it. If one out of three buys this one instead of a Bose or Altec Lansing, that’s money in Apple’s pocket.
Thanks for the ‘tunes Macmania.
For those who think we criticize our beloved Apple for making “just ONE product aimed at the general consumer”, I ask — who the heck to we think the iPod was aimed at??? HUH??
Can’t think of anything else Apple did recently that was so widely criticized. A nice way to test the waters. But still junky.
Overpriced at $399.
Buy a micro component stereo (with central console and two satellite speakers) and hook your iPod up to it. You will be glad you did.
Sorry – meant overpriced at $349.
“For those who think we criticize our beloved Apple for making “just ONE product aimed at the general consumer”, I ask — who the heck to we think the iPod was aimed at??? HUH??”
Yeah, but when the first iPod was introduced, people cried foul too, mainly because of the price. And when the iPod mini came out, people made a fuss because it was not considered value for money. And when the Mac Mini was introduced, it was madness then too. But all of them were embraced by enough people, despite all the bad mouth at these kind of sites. There is a market beyond the people who display their critical views on these sites.
So you see, “general consumer” that’s a bit hard to define. Is it you, who are always very critical, always expecting amazing things, dreaming up the next best thing in hardware land, spending way too much time at sites like these. Or is it the consumer who never ever visits these sites, but just uses an iPod and gets in an AppleStore to look around and shop for a set of speakers because they just need a pair of speakers?
And with a pair of speakers, I mean in this case an iPod audio solution.
Here´s another review from ilounge:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/ipod-hi-fi-high-fidelity-speaker-system-for-ipod/
“Top existing all-in-one iPod speaker systems deliver better dynamic range (particularly treble response) at close distances; our favorites also include independent, incremental bass and/or treble controls. No video or data ports on back. Staid design, high price, and top-mounted iPod dock detract from appeal. Nearly seventeen-pound weight with batteries renders it the heaviest of all semi-portable speakers we’ve seen.”
Suggested higher rated alternatives:
Altec Lansing’s inMotion iM7 (iLounge rating: A-), Bose’s SoundDock (iLounge rating: B+), and JBL’s On Time (iLounge rating: B+)
“Considering all of these factors, and despite its good (if warm) low-volume sound and strong performance at high volumes, iPod Hi-Fi falls somewhere in the middle of the semi-portable speaker pack. Because of its comparatively high price, staid design, and underwhelming treble response, it’s hard to recommend to typical iPod users over Altec’s inMotion iM7, Bose’s SoundDock, or JBL’s On Time for most of their listening purposes.”
“For these reasons, we consider iPod Hi-Fi to be a missed opportunity for Apple, and one that would benefit tremendously from evolving into a wireless-enabled version 2.”
Lets face the music, this HiFi product and the Leather Case was purposely designed by bean counters to soak our wallets. It certainly wasn’t designed by engineers or designers.
When a average person walks into a Apple Store, they have a higher expectation of quality from Apple than what they were recieving from Dell or Gateway with Microsoft.
These people have tastes, they know quality and value when they see it.
Apple was about quality and value, but ever since the Intel switch, they have been about sliding inferior products under our noses. They have been about greed.
I’ll tell you something else, IBM has a bunch of smart folks, responsible for many innovations. If Intel can make a cool dual core processor, IBM certainly can and has.
IBM just didn’t want to work with Steve Jobs.
Wow! Mac fans have incredibly thin skins and short fuses. I admit I am not impressed with the iPod HiFi but when Bose released its Wave radio for $500 where were the rabble storming the castle then? Some of these replies are getting just a little out of hand. Calm down people, its a speaker.